The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Death of girl, 6, on Isle of Bute now a murder probe
Police launch major investigation into killing of Alesha MacPhail, who had just started her summer holidays, following results of post-mortem examination
A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a young schoolgirl on the Isle of Bute.
Six-year-old Alesha MacPhail was reported missing from Rothesay, the main town on the island, at 6.25am on Monday. Her body was later found in woodland on the site of a former hotel on Ardbeg Road by a member of the public.
Following the results of a postmortem examination yesterday, Detective Superintendent Stuart Houston confirmed that the police are treating the youngster’s death as murder.
He told a media conference on the island: “Alesha’s family is utterly devastated by what has happened and the news we’ve had to give them this evening.”
Mr Houston said Alesha was a few days into a three-week break visiting family on the island. Detectives have not specified the cause of death.
He repeated a call for members of the public to come forward with any information that might assist officers.
Mr Houston said: “I am still keen to speak to people who were involved in the search that was conducted in the early hours of Monday morning.
“I am keen to find out who was there who has maybe not engaged with police yet, what areas they searched, and anything they may have seen or heard at the time.”
He added: “Alesha had lots of friends who will no doubt find it very difficult to comprehend why they will never see their friend again.
“For such a young girl to have her life taken away is incomprehensible.”
Area police commander Chief Superintendent Hazel Hendren said local people should be vigilant about the safety of their children and the security of their homes.
Ms Hendren said in a statement: “Our absolute priority is catching the person responsible for this horrendous act as quickly as possible.
“I understand that there will be a high level of concern among people living in this close-knit community, but I want to reassure people that everything possible is being done. Incidents such as this are extremely rare, but we are still in the early stages of this investigation and we would ask people to be vigilant about their children and also their household security.”
Tributes have been paid to the little girl, who was a pupil at Chapelside Primary School in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. Head teacher Wendy Davie said: “Alesha loved being at school and enjoyed all aspects of literacy, in particular writing. She was a very considerate child who loved being part of a group and she was popular with all the other children, and was a smiley and happy young girl.”